Metal Sizing – Imperial Vs Metric

We stock Aluminium and Brass sections in a huge range of forms and shapes – the majority of which have imperial dimensions.

Imperial measurements (Feet, Inches, Eighths and Sixteenths of Inches) can often prove confusing for the layman. The main reason behind this is that the Metric system has been the primary system of measurement that is taught in British schools since 1974. Therefore, unless you are of a certain age, or your day job involves working with imperial measurements then there is a good chance that ordering Aluminium Tubes and Bars that are sized in inches is a daunting prospect.

In Aluminium and in Brass imperial sized sections such as Angles, Channels, Tubes, Bars and Tee Sections are still more common and therefore are often cheaper than metric sizes.  Of course, some applications demand that the size of material needs to be exact, but in many cases an approximate size is perfectly acceptable. In almost every instance there is an imperial sized profile that matches up to,  or at least comes very close to standard nominal metric dimensions. For example ¼” (or 0.25”)  converted to metric is 6.35mm.  5/8” (0.625”) is 15.9mm and 1” converts to 25.4mm.

For ease of use we list all our Aluminium and Brass sections in both metric and imperial dimensions. For a full list of conversions please see the table below.

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Free Cutting Service

1 x Free Cut - per line item purchased - receive the item at the exact length required for the job

Folding Service

We are able to offer our Aluminium Sheets & Chequer Plates and Stainless Steel Sheets folded to the customers specifications

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Lee Turner
20:54 25 Mar 25
James Christelow
20:23 24 Mar 25
Exactly as ordered, very pleased with purchase and prompt delivery
Barracuda UK
10:11 19 Mar 25
Right price, right delivery, website is great. no issues. Can't ask for any more.
mick sollis
18:26 18 Mar 25
Have used a few times great service and cost will be using again.
V Tazey
17:42 12 Mar 25
I can't fault them. I needed stainless steel rods to create a fram to net over our fish pond. Quickly and safely delivered, just the job, thanks
Ron Vass
09:44 19 Feb 25
Truly excellent service for such a small job!I needed some small rectangular aluminium sheets made up to use as Tiller Hoods to fix the tiller to the rudder for a Mirror Dinghy! The 1mm thick 200mm x 100mm sheets were just £1.07 each excluding vat and as the postage was 3x that amount I decided to order 10 for future projects! 1st Choice Metals provided a superb very cost effective service and cut the sheets with quick delivery.I am truly delighted with them.
Richard Abraham
19:35 18 Feb 25
Easy to navigate website and hassle free purchase. Excellent customer service when item delivered was damaged by delivery service, replaced immediately without fuss. I hope they got compensation from courier.
Adam G
13:49 18 Feb 25
Fast and friendly staff, use them for materials for work and never had a problem with supply. The cutting service is a big help too, I can just order what i need, pick it up and fit, no faffing about.
Lauren Pots
12:00 25 Sep 24
I bought a plate of brass 3mm thick to be used on a drawing board. It was dispatched very quickly and packaged against a wooden board in order that it didn’t get damaged. Brilliant service, thank you.